Deputy Interior Minister Kwabena Acheampong on Tuesday has underscored the importance of fire safety education, urging the management of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to intensify public sensitisation programmes on fire safety and prevention to minimise their occurrence to attract investment into the country. He noted that investors in the industrial, hospitality and agricultural sectors would only be attracted to Ghana if they could be assured that their investments would be protected from the ravages of fire. “An effective and efficient fire service is a good insurance for the country’s valuable investments,” Mr Acheampong said at the passing-out parade of the GNFS recruit course 41 in Accra. “All the infrastructure and development in education, health, industry, hospitality business, technology and agriculture would come to nothing if they were razed down by fire,” he said. The recruits, 205 males and 95 females, went through an intensive four-month course in basic fire fighting principles, fire science, fire report writing and fire safety. Mr Acheampong observed that fire outbreaks had reduced due to intensified public fire safety education and the engagement of the Fire Service with the public. The Deputy Minister said it was the hope of the government that in subsequent years there would be further reduction in such incidents and said the Service could only succeed in its endeavour to minimize fire outbreaks in the country with the cooperation, commitment and support of the general public. Mr Acheampong said the government was fully aware of the crucial role the Fire Service played in enhancing the socio-economic development of the county. It would therefore make sure challenges of the personnel, including accommodation, logistical support and improved working conditions were reasonably addressed, he added. Mr Acheampong appealed to the recruits to apply the knowledge they had acquired to enhance the development of the service and to ensure that the nation’s quest towards accelerated socio-economic development was not undermined by undesired fires. The Deputy Minister also urged them to make education their watchword since the nature of fire was changing in view of the new and sophisticated materials that were finding their way into homes, factories and other places of work. “Be good ambassadors to guard against acts that tarnish the image of the Service, but rather help project the corporate image of the Service, be loyal to the state and work with diligence,” he added. Mr Adjei Marfo won the overall best recruit prize whilst Mr Emmanuel Adjin was adjudged the best recruit in Foot Drills. Mr Albert Cudjoe won the award for best recruit in Academics. Source: GNA